Telephone-exchange mechanism.



No. 672,967. Patented Apr. 30, IBM.

H. P. snow.

TELEPHONE EXCHANGE MECHANISM] (Application filed Sept. 28, 1899.) I (NoModel.) B Sheets-Sheet l,

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No. 672,967. Patentd- Apr. 30, 190i.

7 H. P. SNOW.

TELEPHONE EXCHANGE MECHANISM.

(Application filed Sept. 28,' 1899.; (No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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No. 672,967. Patented Apr. 30; I90l.

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TELEPHONE EXCHANGE'MEGHA NISM.

A licaeion'md Sept. 28, 1899.1

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No. 672,967. Patentad Apr. 30,191.

- H. P. snow.

TELEPHONE, EXCHANGE MECHANISM.

(Application flldd Sept. 28, 1899.)

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' Patantod Apr. 30, I901. H.-P. SNOW.

TELEPHONE EXCHANGE MECHANISM. (Application filed Sept. 2B, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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N0- 672,967- Patented Apr. 30, IQOI.

H. P. SNOW.

TELEPHONE EXCHANGE MECHANISM.

(Application med se 't. 2a, 1399.) (No Model.) -6 SheetsSheet 6.

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UNITED" STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARLEN P. SNOW, OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO FREDERICKC. JARECKLOF SAME PLACE.

TELEPHONE-EXCHANGE MECHANISM.

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 672,967, dated April30, 1901.

Application filed September 28,1899. Serial No. 731,994. (No model.)

To all whom it 'may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARLE P. Snow, a citizen of the United States,residing'at Erie, in the county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Telephone-ExchangeMechanisms; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in 1 o the art to which it appertains to make and use may beconnected, broadly, either by ground or metallic circuits, but moreparticularly by the system of wiring wherein a series of outgoing wiresand a series incoming wires are utilized for a greater number oftelephones: than the pairs of wires as shown in my pat-j ent grantedSeptember 28, 1897, No. 590,633.

The mechanism also comprises the detail of the exchange mechanism, whichwill appear more fully hereinafter.

0 The invention is illustrated in the accom panying drawings, asfollows:

Figure 1 shows a diagram of the switchboard and wiring incident to theconnecting mechanism. Fig. 2 shows a diagram of the 5 mechanismcontrolling the switchboard and the means for actuating the magneto andconnecting the exchange-telephone with outside telephones. Fig. 3 showsa plan view of the switchboard; Fig. 4, a front elevation, the

point of view being from the right of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 shows a sideelevation, the point of view being from the bottom of Fig. 3 and theleft of Fig. 4. Fig. 6'shows a detail of the brush mechanism. Fig. 7shows a detail of 5 the shifting-block mechanism. Fig. 8 shows a largeviewin detail of the inductive repeater and cutting-outswitch.

This exchange mechanism is particularly adapted for operating with thesystem of wir- 5o ing shown in my former patent referred to,

which consists, briefly, in utilizing a series of outgoing Wires inconnection with a series of return-wires by connecting each outgoing andincoming wire with a plurality of telephone systems, each telephone,however, being connected with a different combination of outgoing andincoming wires, so that separate circuits are maintained for each phone.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the general scheme of my switchboard whenapplied to this sys- 6o tern of wiring is shown in diagram. Inthisdiagram, A marks the incoming wires, and B the outgoing wires, theterms incoming and outgoing wires being used simply for con venience,as, of course, either answers either description. There are ten of theincoming wires in the series, (marked from A to A and ten of theoutgoing wires, (marked from B to B The wires A are connected with aseries of plates a, insulated from each other, and the wires B areconnected with a like series of plates 1), also insulated from eachother and separate from the plates at. The plates (1, are lettered froma, to 0. the plate a being connected with the wire A, and the plate (1,with the wire A with the intervening plates connected with interveningwires in their order. A like system of lettering is employed with regardto the plates 1), the plate I) being connected with the wire B, and soon. Extending across the plates at area series of movable rods, arrangedin pairs,

C C A like series of movable rods C are arranged over the plates 1) andare also arranged in pairs C and 0*. Contacts 0 are arranged on the rodsC C, which are adapted to be brought by the movement of the movable rodsinto contact with any of the plates (1 or b. The rods C are connected bya wire d with the rods C and the rods C are connected by a wire d withthe rods C It will be noted, therefore, that the rods are arranged incouples or pairs, and that each pair is capable of forming a telephonicconnection if the wires (1 and (1 connected with them are 5 connectedwith a medium to complete a circuit,as the common return-wire. Whereametallic circuit and selecting system described is used, these rods andbrushes are also arranged in couples which are in electrical con- IQOnection-t'. e, the rod C and the rod C form a couple "or pair which areelectrically connected, and the rods 0 and C also form a pair which arein electrical connection, and the rods C and 0 form a pair by means ofwhich a telephonic connection may be made. The wires (1 and 61 pass toan inductive repeater which, as shown, is in the form of arepeating-coil D. Each telephone in the system is connected to one ofthe wires A and one of the wires B, each telephone having a diiferentcombination,as many telephones being possible as there are differentcombinations of the wires, as more particularly point ed out in myformer patent referred to. I have shown four telephones connected withthe line-Wires in this manner. They are numbered 10 10, 9 10, 11 9, and9 9. The telephone 10 10 is connected with the wires A and B Thetelephone 9 10is connected with the line-wires A and B The telephone 109 is connected with the wires A and B The telephone 9 9 is connectedwith the wires A and B". This method of connection is carried outthroughout the system. Independent line-wires may run from eachtelephone into the exchange and there be connected. With this system theswitchboard-wire (wires A and B) may also extend out from thetelephone-exchange and the wires immediately connected with eachtelephone simply run to the line-wires. The system of phone-indicatorsmay be and preferably is arranged with two numbers-as, for instance, aphone connected with the wires A and B might be numbered 1 l and thephone connected with the wires A and B might be designated by the doublenumber 4 7. In the systems of less than one hundred phones a singlenumber may be used, as 11 for the 1 l number, above referred to, and 4'7for the other; but in large systems the most convenient method is tohave the double series of numbers, as above referred to.

Thegeneral operation of the device can be readily understood from thediagram shown in Fig. l and is as follows: The callers number isindicated by an ordinary annunciator. (Not shown.) A rod 0 is moved soas to bring the contact 0 upon the bar (1 having connection with thewire corresponding to the first number of the callers phone, and the rod0 is moved to bring the contact 0 0n the bar I) having connection withthe outgoing wire corresponding to the second number of the callersphone. The number of the phone of the party called is ascertained, andthe rod C, which is connected through the wire d with the same repeaterD, as is the wire at for the rod 0 already moved, is moved so as tobring its contact 0 on the plate a, corresponding to the wire indicatedby the first number of the phone of the party called. A similaroperation is pursued with reference to the rod O It is moved to bringthe contact 0 over the plate connected with the Wire corresponding tothe second number of the phone of the party called. It will readily beseen that as the rods 0 and C are brought over the bars which areconnected with the outgoing and incoming wire of the callers phone acircuit is established with the telephone of the party called throughthe wire d and coil D. Electrical energy is conveyed from one to theother circuits through induction in the coil D, so that a perfecttelephonic connection is established between the caller and the partycalled.'

The rods 0 and O, as before stated, are arranged in couples or pairs,and their number is determined by the amount of service that is desiredof the switchboard, and there is for each couple of rods 0 C aninductive repeater D and connecting-wires d d". The rods are preferablyused successively,the rods O O O and O at one end of the seriesconnecting the first caller with the first party called and the nextcouple or pair of rods being used for the next caller, and so on. Afterall the rods have been used the first couple or pair of rods may be usedif the party is through using the telephone, or, ifnot, the nextadjacent rods may be used, and so on. The number of subscribers in thesystem determines the number of bars a and b. Practically any number ofsubscribers may be provided for by increasing the number of bars a andZ). From this it appears that the number of rods 0 and C determines thecapacity for service of the board, and the number of plates a and 1)determines the number of subscribers.

In the use of the system where the same wires are used for-difierentcircuits cross-talk may possibly result by reason of the greatercapacity of some of the wires than the others. To avoid this result, Iprovide the wires with the condensers U, which are of the usual form,and by these the capacity of the wires may be equalized, so as to avoidthe result referred to.

In order that the connection between two telephones may be automaticallybroken by the ring of the bell of one of the phones in a circuit, Iprovide a coil (7,, arranged on a shunt d extending from the maincircuit through the Wire d. This coil is arranged to be a greaterimpedance than is the coil D and forms a sullicient impediment toprevent a current through it during the ordinary use of the circuit. Itis, however, influenced by the current produced by the magneto and whenso influenced operates upon an armature d carrying a switch (1 which isthrown out by the movement of the armature incident to the currentproduced in the coil (1 by the action of the magneto, and this switchremains in the disconnected position until again connected by theoperator.

The exchange wiring for setting the mechanism to actuate the movablerods and contact-brushes at c, as hereinbefore described in reference toFig. 1, as well as the means for ringing the bell of the party calledand connecting the exchange-telephone,are shown in Fig. 2. On theoperating-board of the exchange is arranged a series of spring-actuatedpress-buttons E and F, one of the buttons E being intended to operateupon each of the wires A, and being lettered E E E 850., to correspondwith the letters A A A indicating the wires with which they are tooperate, respectively, and the buttons E F F to indicate the bu ttonoperating with the wires B B B &c., respectively. Each of the buttons isprovided with a circuit-closing plate e, which is insulated from therest of the buttons, and the buttons F have the similar plate f. Belowthe plates 6 and f, but in the path of said plates, are arranged aseries of contact-posts e and f, connected with the wires A and B,respectively. A second series of contact-posts e are arranged in thepath of the plates a, so as to be connected with the posts 6 through theplates e. The posts e are connected through the wires c with a commonwire 6 of the exchange-circuit. The wire e extends to the switch-posts Gand G. A series of posts f are similarly arranged in the path of theplates f and are adapted to be connected through the plates fwith theposts f when the buttons F are depressed.

The posts f are connected through the wires f with a com mon wire f ofthe exchange-circuit, the wire f having two branches, one passingthrough the magneto H and the other through the repeater I to theswitch-posts J and J, respectively.

The exchange-telephone K is in circuit with a wire passing through thecoil I, so as to be operated by induction from. the repeater I. A buttonK is arranged to operate upon the switch-post G to force it intoconnection with the post J, and consequently close the circuit throughthe coil I and make a connection with the exchange-phone. If therefore acallers number is indicated by an annunciator and the but-tons E and F,corresponding to the wires forming the circuit of the caller aredepressed, so as to connect those circuits with the wires e and f acircuit is completed with the caller through the coil I and a connectionmade with the exchange-phone. A button H is arranged to operate upon theswitch-post J, so as to make a contact between said post and the post G.It will readily be observed that if this button H is depressed themagneto is brought into the circuit with the circuit completed throughthe depression of the buttons E and F, so that a bell in the circuitwith the buttons depressed is operated. Ordinarily this is the bell ofthe party called. Each of the buttons E is connected through wires cwith a common wire E, which extends to one side of an electricpower-producing element N Each button E is also, when not depressed,connected with a post e*, and each post 6 is connected through a wire Lwith a series of posts I, (lettered from Z to P one for each plate a. Aseach button E is depressed it is thrown out of contact with the post ewhich is normally in contact with the button. At the end of the seriesof contactplates 1 is a long contact-plate Z. All these plates areinsulated from each other, as are also the wires leading to them. Acontactbrush L is arranged to pass over the plates 1 and Z and is ofsufficient width to bridge the insulation between said plates, so thatthere is a constant current from the electrical. producing element Nthrough the wire E wires 6 post (2, and wires L to the brush L unlesssomeof the buttons E are depressed, and when this happens there is abreak in the circuit described when the brush L reaches the contactplate in connection'with the button E depressed. For convenience thecontact-plates are lettered Z &c., in the same order and to correspondwith the buttons E E E &c., respectively, and also in the same order asand to correspond to the plates at a a 850., as well as the wires A A A850., operated upon by the action of the buttons E E E the Passing fromthe brush L is a wire at, which passes through a coil N, and the wire Nleads from this coil to a switch-post m The buttons K and H are arrangedto operate upon the switch-post n and to form a connection by theiroperation, as readily seen in said figure, with a switch-post a The postn is connected through a wire N with the other side from that connectedwith the wire E of the electrical power-producing element N. The buttonsF are provided with a series of posts f", similar to the posts a, andare connected through the wires M with a series of contactplates,(lettered from m to m respectively. At the end of the plates m is a longcontactplate on, similar in function and form to the contact-plate Z andover these plates is adapted to pass a brush M similar to the brush LThe brush M is connected through a wire 12, with a coil N. The coil N isconnected with the wire N leading from the coil N. The lettering of; theplates m m m 850., is arranged with reference to the buttons E E E &c.,and with plates 1) b 19 &c., and wires B B B &c. as are buttons E withtheincoming system. The buttons F are connected through the wires f witha common wire E, which connects with the wires E. The general scheme ofoperation of this part of the mechanism is as follows: The an nunciatorindicates the wires A and B, forming the circuit of the telephone of thecaller. The buttons E and F, operating with said wires, are depressed bythe operator and held in that position and at the same time, in ordinarypractice, the button K is depressed. This depression of the button Kconnects the wire 6 through the switchblock G with the switch-block J,thus completing the circuit through the coil I, wires e and f ,'and

depressed buttons E and F with the phone of the caller. This connects upthe short circuit k of the exchange-telephone K with the callers phone.The depression of the button K also connects the switch -post 71 withthe switch-post n thus completing the cir cuit through the electricalpower-producing element N through the wire E wires 6 buttons E, postse", wires L, plates Z, brush L wire a, coil N, and wire N and thiselectrical circuit is continued until the brush L is brought over thecontact-plate connected with the depressed button, where the circuit isbroken. Now if mechanism is provided for moving the rods C, whichmechanism is thrown out of action by the breaking of circuit through thecoil N, the rod 0 will be moved until the circuit in the coil N isbroken, and if the brush L is moved in unison with the rod C so as tobring the brush L over a plate Z when the brush 0 is brought over acorresponding plate a the current will be broken just as the brush isbrought over the plate Z connected with the button E depressed, so thatthe brush a will be stopped on the plate a corresponding to the button Edepressed. A similar elfect will be produced through the action of thebrush M and coil N with relation to the rods 0 and the contact-points con said rods relatively to the plates 1). In order that the longcontact-plates Z and m may complete the circuit from the Wire E beforethe starting of the brushes L and M the plates Z and m are connected bythe wires L and M, respectively, with the wire L which is connected withthe wire F and consequently with the wire E As soon as the brushes L andM pass off of the plates Z and m this circuit is broken, so that thecircuit through the brushes is carried through the plates Z and m, asheretofore described.

A preferable means for actuating the rods 0 and C is through the mediumof a mechanism having constant reciprocating movement. This mechanismshould not, of course, actuate a rod 0' with each movement, but onlywhen it is desired to make the connection. In order that mechanism maybe set to actuate the rodsO and 0 when a connection is desired, a coil 0is arranged in a wire 0, connecting the wire N with the wire F Byfollowing the wiring it will readily be seen that if either the keys Kor H are depressed this coil is thrown into circuit with the electricalpower-producing element N By arranging the setting mechanism to beactuated by the coil 0 a reciprocating mechanism may be had whichnormally does not actuate the rods 0 and C, but which may be made to doso when a connection is desired.

In the mechanism shown in carrying out the inventions just described thesame designating characters are used for the same parts as are used inthe diagrams. Keeping in mind the general scheme of wiring and theobjects to be attained, as described in the description of the diagrams,the operation of the specific mechanism for carrying out these purposeswill be readily understood.

The device is mounted on a base-plate P, which is secured to theoperating-table T. Two uprights p p are arranged on the base P, one infront of theother and of sulficient distance apart to permit thearrangement of the plates at and b, one group above the other, betweenthem and parallel to them. The uprights 19 are provided with a series ofperforations the size of the rods 0 and C, and the rods 0 and C extendthrough these perforations, the rods C over the bars aand the rods Cover the bars 1). The rods 0 and C are of sufficient length to extendoutwardly in front of the front plate 19, so that they may be movedinwardly a sufficient distance to carry a contact-brush over all thebars a and b. The rods C are preferably arranged directly over the rodsC and are so shown, and the rods 0 are preferably arranged directly overthe rods G and are so shown. preferably directly over the bar b and isso shown, as are the other bars a arranged over the respective bars I)in their order. Extending between the uprights p 1), over the bars a andb and parallel to the rods C and C, are a series of contact-rods (Z onefor each rod 0 and 0. (See Fig. 6.) These rods are insulated from theuprights p p and are connected with the wires d and d. Brushes c extendfrom the rods 0 and 0 onto the plates at and b and are arranged to bepassed over the plates at and b by a movement of the rods 0 and C withspring-pressure. The brushes are positioned at c, as indicated in thediagram shown in Fig. 1. These brushes are secured to the rods 0 and Oby the bracket 0, which is insulated from said rods, and to insure acontinuous connection with the contact-rod d a second spring-brush c isarranged on the bracket 0', in position to contact the rod d. It willreadily be seen that if a brush 0 on a rod C is brought onto a plate a.and a brush 0 on the corresponding rod 0 is brought onto a plate Z7 aconnection will be established through the wire (Z or cZ, as describedwith relation to the diagram shown in Fig. l. The contact-plates arearranged extending across the space between the uprights 19 p at theleft of the machine, and the contact-plates m are similarly arranged atthe right. The plates Z and m are of exactly the same width as theplates at and b and have the same thickness of insulating materialbetween them, so that it' the brush L and brush 0 are moved togetherover the plates c and Ct at the same time they will move over thevarious plates in their order in proper time, so that when the currentis broken with the brush L in contact with any of the plates Z the brush0 at the same time will be over the corresponding plate a. A similararrangement is provided with relation to the brush M and the bars b.

Extending from the uprights p are the perforated ears 1), which formguides for the reciprocating rods Q Q, one at each side of the machine.Secured to the rods Q are grooved cross-heads g. In the grooves of thesecrossheads pins q, carried by the rock-arms (1 operate. The rock-arms (1are j ournaled on pins 19 secured to the frame, and extend, prefer- Thebar a is ably,below the operating-table T. Slots are arranged in thelower ends of the arms (1 A shaft g isjou rnaled in t hehangerpflextending from the bottom of the base P, and is provided withthe drive-pulley g which may be connected with any source of power. Ateach end of the shaft q is a crank q, both arranged at the same side ofthe shaft, so as to produce exactly the same movement on the respectiverods (1 The crank-pins Q7 extend through the slots g so that themovement ofthe crank is communicated to the rods g and thence to therods Q. In the operation of the machine a constant motion is given tothe pulley g and consequently a constant reciprocating movement is givento the rods Q. Extending upwardly from'the guides q are the brackets qand q, to which are secured the brushes L and M -These brushes arecarried with each reciprocation of the rod Q over the plates Z and m,extending with each reciprocation onto plates i and m Extending frointhebrackets g Q12 are the wires in 11. They are in electrical connectionwith the brushes L and M and insulated from the brackets referred to.They extend, as described in the diagrams, to the coils N and N". Thecoils N and N are arranged on the rods Q and reciprocate with them.

At the ends of the rods Q are formed the brackets Q, which are providedwith the bearings g and q". The rodsRand R'are placed in these hearings,the rod B being arranged to have simply rotative movemen t'in thehearing q but not axial movement, and the rod R being arranged to haveboth axial and rotative movement in the bearing g A traveling block S isarranged on the rods R and R and has extending through it the slot .9.(See Fig. 7.) In this slot and on the shafts R and Rare arranged thesliding collars s and s Grooves r are arranged in the shafts R and R,and these form the grooves of a splinc-and-groove mechanism with whichthe collars s and s are locked against rotative movement on the shaft'Rand R, but are per mitted to have axial movement thereon. Extending fromthe collars s and s are the actuating-lugs s and s cient length toprotrude when the collars are turned to bring them to an uprightposition into the paths of the rods 0 and C, so that as the rods Q, andconsequently the rods R and R, are reciprocated the rods 0 and C, whichcome into the paths of the lugs s and s, are pushed in by said lugsacting upon the ends of the rods. The normal position of the collars issuch that the lugs are turned backwardly, (the lug 3 toward the left asshown in Fig. 7,) so that they are out of the path of said rods and areonly turned into the path I when it is' desired to make a connection.The lug s is directly under the lug 8 so as to operate a rod 0 when arod 0 is operated and to operate a rod 0 when a rod 0 is operated.

The mechanism for throwing into position These lugs are of sufli-v .thelugs s and s is as follows: An extension P projects from the base P, onwhich are arranged the two uprights 19 19 which are perforated at theirupper ends, thus forming a guide for a rod 0. The rod 0 is provided witha collar 0, which is pressed normally against the front upright p by aspring 0 tensioned between said collar and the rear uprights 19 On theend of the rod 0 is an arm 0 which extends into the path of the plate aon the coil N. As the rod Q is carried forward in its movement the plate41 contacts the arm 0 and moves the rod Otoward the rear of the machine,(the left in Figs. 3 and 5.) As the rod Q moves back to position thespring 0 presses the rod back to its normal position.

In the under side of the rod 0 is a notch 0 which is shaped to beexgaged by a point 0 on a rod 0 which extends through the extension Pand upright 19 and the coil 0. The armature O is secured to the bottomof this rod and is held in place normally by the small brackets 0 Whenthe buttons H or K are pressed, completing the circuit through the wireE, F, N and N as heretofore described, energizing the coil 0, itactuates the armature O and rod 0 so asto press the rod'0 upwardly andthe point 0 into engagement with the rod 0 in the notch 0 thus lockingthe rod in its forward position. Extending from the front end of the rod0 are two arms 0 and 0,and these are provided with the cam-rollers 0 and0 Extending from the end of the rod R is a rock-arm a, which forms anarmature for the coil N. The rear part of the arm n is provided with acam-surface which engages the roller 0 when the rod 0 is locked in itsinward position by the rod 0 so that when the rod 0 is so locked thearmm is carried back against the roller 0 by the movement of the rod Qand down by the action of said roller against the plate 01 and as acircuit with a current is complete through the coil N by reason of theclosure of the switch n the armature forming the arm n is held downthrough the action of the coil against the lug on the plate a. An arm nextends downwardly from the rod R in the path of the roller 0 and therod R is rocked when the rod 0 is held in its inward position by theaction of the arm 72 against said roller in a manner similar to theaction of the arm 01. against the roller 0 At'the opposite end of theshaft R there is a rock-lever 07. which is pressed down against a lug onthe platen? force of the coils N'N are the springs rflwhich extend fromarms 1" on the shaftsR and B. These springs extend to the tension-screwsarranged on an arm Q extending from the bracket Q at the left of themachine as viewed in Fig. 4. These tend to rock the shafts R and B so asto bring the actuatinglugs s .5 out of the path of the rods 0 and C. Theoperation of this part of the mechanism is therefore as follows: Themechanism connected with the rods Q is constantly reciprocated by theaction of the lever (1 The lugs s and s are held out of the path of therods C and Gby the action of the springs r r. When,however,a button K orI1 is depressed, thus energizing the coil 0, the rod 0, which is given aslight reciprocation with each stroke of the rod Q by reason of thecontact of the plate a with the arm 0 is locked in its innerposi tion bythe action of the rod 0 through the influence of the coil 0 on thearmature 0 connected with said rod. This holds the arms 0 and O at theirinward position, and consequently the rollers o and 0 in the paths ofthe arms 12 and it so that as the rod Q is brought back to its initialposition the arms at and n are pressed down onto the lugs of the platesn and if, and as the coils Nand N are energized through the circuitestablished through the brushes L and M the arms 12 and n are held inthis position until the brushes pass over the plates Z and m, which arein connection with the buttons E and F, so that the circuit of each isbroken, as hereinbefore described in relation to Fig. 2. This throws outthe coils N and N, and the springs r, acting on the arms r immediatelyrock the shafts or rods R and R so as to bring the lugs 3? and .9 out ofengagement with the rods which they are actuating. The length of therods 0 and O is so proportioned with reference to the position of thelugs s and s and relatively to the brushes L and M that the brushes 0are brought over the bars a and b corresponding to the plates Z and mjust as the brushes L and M are brought over the corresponding platesland m, so that when the circuit is broken the brushes 0 are left on theplates corresponding to the buttons E and F depressed, and the buttons Eand F correspond to the wires forming the circuit of the party to beconnected the circuit is coinpleted through a wire 61 or d for thatparty.

In order that the traveling block S, with the collars s and 8 may becarried along the rods R and R, so as to engage successively the rodsCand (1, I have arranged the following mechanism: Notches a and r arearranged in the shafts R and R, with catch-shoulders on the sides of thenotches toward the left of the machine. Spring-carches s and s arearranged to operate in these notches,the spring S forming the spring forsaid catches. The notches r and 1' have sutficient lengthcircumferentially of the rods to allow the catches s and s to remain inengagement during the rocking movement of the rods R and R. Extendingfrom the rod 0 is a cam 0 which is arranged to bring its beveled surfacein the path of the end of the shaft R when the rod 0 is locked in itsinward position, as heretofore rod 7.

I a spring Q described. The end of the rod R is rounded, so that it maymore readily operate against the surface of the cam 0 When the rod 0 islocked in its inward position in forming a telephone connection and therod R is brought against the bevel-surface of the cam 0 the rod R ismoved toward the right of the machine a sufficient distance to move thecatch 8 one notch on the rod R, and as the rod R is locked against axialmovement in the bearings g the block S is held in this new position,thus bringing the lugs s and s to a new brush-rod, the distance betweenthe notches r and r being the distance between the rods 0 and C. A coner is arranged against the right end of the shaft R, so as to readilyallow of its rocking movement. This cone is attached to a plate 0", fromwhich extends a The rod 7' extends through the ears arranged on thebottom of the bracket Q. A spring r is arranged to press said rod 7'toward the left, and this, acting through the plate r and cone r pressesthe rod R back to its normal position as soon as the shaft Q, with therod R, has moved forward toward the rear of the machine. The cam O is sopositioned that it does not actuate the rod R except when the rod 0 islocked in its inward position. As the rod R moves back to its normalposition the bevel surface of the spring-catch 5 allows the catch tomove out of the notch r with which it has been engaged, and as the rod Rreaches its normal position the catch 8 is pressed into the nextsuccessive notch 1". This operation, of course, is repeated with eachconnection. Jonrnaled on theside of the bracket ti at the left of themachine is a drum Q w ich is actuated by A cord Q is arranged on theouter surface of the drum and attached to the block S. The spring istensioned to create pressn re on the cords, so as to draw the blocktoward the left- On the outer ends of the spring-catches s and s arecam-heads s and which are adapted to be operated upon by cams s and Thecams s and s are carried by a rock-arm s, which is journaled on ascrew-pin 8, extending into the block S. Extending from the rock-arm sis a contact-arm .9 which is arranged in the path of a contact-post 5,carried by a bracket extending from the arm Q at the right of themachine and also in the path of a contact-post 8 arranged on an arm gextending from a bracket Q at the left of the machine. As the block Spasses the last rods 0 and O at the right-of the machine the arm 3contacts the post 8 thus pressing the cams s and 8 under the heads 8"and 3 thus drawing the catches s and .9 out of the notches 'r and o".The friction of the heads holds the rock-arm s in this position, and thecord Qfinnder tension from the springdrum Q immediately draws the blockS back to the extreme left of the machine. When This throws out the camss and s and allows the spring-catches s and s to move inwardly into thenotches rand r, when the operation hereinbefore described may berepeated. The operation, therefore, of this part of the devicerelatively to the actuation v of the button may be briefly described atthis 'the operator.

point, as follows: A call having been announced by the annunciator, andthe keys E and F correspondingfwith the wires of the caller beingdepressedfthe button K is depressed. This connects the operator with thecaller and at the same time energizes the coil 0, setting'the mechanismactuated by the rod 0', locking down the rock-arm n and 02 thus bringingthe lugs s and 3 into position to operate upon a rod 0 and a rod 0 Theserods are pressed inwardly to the plates at and 1) corresponding to thewires of the caller, and thus a second connection is madeby means actingwith and controlled by said press-buttons. The operator then gets thenumber of the desired connection, releases the keys E and F andthe key Kthus throwing the setting mechanism controlled by the rod 0' out ofaction, and then depresses the keys E and F corresponding to the numberof the Wires-of the party called, at the, same time depressing thebutton H vThe pressing in of the button H again closes acircuit througha coil 0 and sets the mechanismactuated by the rod 0 so as to bring thebrushes of the rods 0 and O over the bars correspon ding with the wiresof the party called in a manner heretofore described. At the same time aconnection is completed by the pressure of the button H through themagneto H, thus ringing the bell of the party called. The keys E and Bmay then be released and the button H released, and the machine is readyfor a new call; The shifting mechanism of the block S automaticallytakes care of changing the position of the lugs s and s, so that thisneeds no attention whateverfrom In fact the connecting mechanism inordinary practice is designed to operate in a different room from thatcontaining the operating-table. It Will be noted that the press-buttonsE, therefore, and the mechanism immediately connected therewith form acontrolling means,one foreach wire,through the instrumentality of whichthe brushes are brought to the bars corresponding to the pressbuttonsactuated. 'As before stated, the-connecting mechanism may be put inseparate is placed.

rooms from that in which the operating-table 'Where, however, theexchange is crowded and the switchboard is small for the business whichis demanded of it, the board may be placed directly in front of theoperator on the operating-table, so thatif all the rods carrying thebrushes have been utilized before the parties utilizing the first pairof rods in the series have completed their conversation the operator mayshift the block S past the rods which are being utilized for thecircuits on which the conversations are not completed to some rod whichis out of use.

This can be readily accomplished, because the catches s s are beveled,so as to allow the ready movement of the block in a forward direction. 7of course, should take place just at the moment of time when thereciprocating frame including the rods R R are attheir extreme outerposition, so that there may be no danger of the small catches d and 8operating upon the lugs C on the rods as the block is being moved.

In order that the rods 0 and C may be brought back to their normalposition in advance of the movement of the lugs s and s, I provide thefollowing mechanism: Extending from the block S is an arm S, at the endof which is a carrier 3 Arranged in the carrier are two spring-catches sand 8 having bevel-surfaces s and 8 extending toward the rear of themachine. A spring 3 presses said catches apart. On the under sides ofthe rods 0 and the upper sides of the rods 0' are arranged the pins 0The catches s and s are arranged in advance of the lugs s and 8 so thatas two rods, as C and are pushed in by the operation of the lugs s and sthe next succeeding rods 0 and (J are engaged with the outward movementof the block S by the catches s and s and drawn to their outer position.

At this point, if at the next reciprocation a connection has beenarranged for,

This movement of the block,

the block S is shifted to the next rod, the

spring-catches being of just sufficient length when at their extremeouter position to pass freely-between the rods (1 and C. If the rod nextsucceeding-the one'pushed in has been previously pushed in, (and thisshould be invariably the case,) the bevel-surfaces s 5 coming into.contact with the pins 0 actuate the spring-catches, so as to allowpassage by said pins. By this mechanism the rods form'- iug theconnection between the phones are left in circuit as long the capacityof the machine will permit, or, in other words, in the ordinaryoperation the parties connected through the first rods at the left willbe left a in connection it they have not themselves rung ofi until theblock S has moved entirely across the machine and utilized every otherrod 0 O in the series.

In Fig. 8 the details of the automatic switch mechanism shown in Fig. lare illustrated. Herein are shown the coils D 61 the wires (1 and (1operating as described in relation to said figure, the wire 01 and dbeing connected through usual buttons extended through usual posts (1 (1The armature d? is pivoted on a frame D, and has at its outer end acounterweight D by the adjustment of which the armature cl is sobalanced as to remain in any position in which itis placed. Arranged ingthe switch (Z into circuit.

Previous to the utilization of the wires (1 and d, passing through eachof the coils D, the operator presses down on the weight D throw- VVhenthe party rings off, the armature d is attracted, as hereinbeforedescribed, thus breaking the connection through the switch. The throwingin of this switch, while described as being done by the operator, may beaccomplished automatically; but I have not shown mechanism for thatpurpose.

While in the claims the term brushes arranged to pass over the bars isused, it must be understood that this is not intended to limit thedevice to one in which there is an actual movement of the brushes, butto describe a movement of the parts which would cause the brushes topass by the bars. It must also be understood that the bars a. and b,with which the line-wires are connected, are, in efiect, brushes whichoperate upon the parts or brushes 0 and that the part 0 might be termedthe bars. In the claims, therefore, I do not wish to be understood bythe term brushes and bars to describe a pcculiar shape of instrument;but I use this term both in the specification and in the claims ratherfor convenience to distinguish one set of cross-acting members of theconnecting mechanism from the other. To this end I wish it to beunderstood that the arrangement and shape of the members may be reversedwithout affecting their identity with my invention.

That I claim as new is 1. In a telephone-exchange, the combination of aseries of incoming line-wires; a series of outgoing line-wires; a set ofbrushes; a set of bars, one of said sets being connected with theline-wires and having the members of the set connected with the outgoinglinewires, arranged in a separate group from those connected with theincoming line-wires, and the members of the other set being connected inpairs, one of each pair being adapted to pass across the members of theother set into contact with any member of said set, said members beingnormally out of connection with saidline-wires; and electric connectionsbetween said pairs of members arranged to form telephonic connectionsbetween two pairs of any of said line-wires by the passing of two pairsof connecting members into contact with the members of the other setconnected with said line-wires. i 2. In a telephone-exchange mechanism,th combination of a series of outgoing line-wires; a series of incomingline-wires; a series of bars for each, the bars for each series oflinewires being arranged in a separate group; brushes arranged to passacross each of said series of bars to the bars connected with theline-wires of the parties to be connected; and means for forming atelephonic connection through said brushes between said bars andconsequently between the lines to be connected.

3. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of outgoing andincoming linewires, a seriesof bars for said wires, those for theincoming and outgoing wires being arranged in separate groups, said barsbeing insulated from each other; a series of brushes arranged to passacross said bars to the bars connected with the line-wires of theparties to be connected, said brushes being arranged in twos, each pairto form a connection between the bars connected with the lines of theparties to be connected; and means for formingatelephonic connectionthrough each pair of said brushes between the bars to be connected andconsequently between the lines to be connected.

4. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of aseries ofoutgoing line-wires, and a series of incoming line-wires; a series ofbars for each of said series of wires; a series of brushes arranged topass across each series of bars to the bars connected with the lines tobe connected, said brushes being arranged in pairs, each pair to formone telephonic connection; and means for forming a telephonic connectionthrough said brushes between said bars, and consequently between thelines to be connected.

5. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofbars insulated from each other; line-wires connected with said bars; aseries of brushes arranged to pass across said bars to the barsconnected with the line-wires of the parties to be connected, and saidseries of brushes arranged in pairs each brush being arranged next insuccession to its companion brush; and means for forming a telephonicconnection through said brushes between the bars to be connected andbetween the brushes of each pair.

6. In a telephone-exchange, the combination of a series of incomingline-wires; a series of outgoing line-wires; a set of brushes;

a set of bars, one of said sets being connectedwith the line-wires andhaving the members of the set connected with the outgoing linewires in agroupseparate from those connected with the incoming line-wires, and theother of said sets being arranged in pairs in telephonic connection; andmeans for bringing a pair of the telephonically-connected members intocontact with the members of the other set connected with the line-wiresof the parties to be connected.

7. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofoutgoing andaseries of incoming line-wires; a series of bars for eachseries of wires; each series arranged in separate groups; brusheselectrically connected in pairs, one of each pair adapted to pass acrossone of said series of bars to be brought into contact with any of thebars of said series, said brushes being normally out of connection withthe line-Wires; an electric connection between said brushes arranged toform telephonic connections between two pairs of line-wires bythemovement of two pairs of brushes into contact with the bars connectedwith said line-wires.

8. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the Combination of an inductiverepeater, normally out of the line=circuits; a system of line-wirescomprising a series of outgoing wires and a series of incoming wires;and means for connecting each circuit of the repeater with any oneoutgoing wire and any one incoming wire.

9. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofoutgoing and incoming line-wires; a series of bars for each series ofline-wires; said series of bars being arranged in separate groups;brushes arranged to pass across said bars of both series to the barsconnected with the line-wires of the parties to be connected; aninductive rcpeater; and wires connecting the circuit of said repeaterwith said brushes.

10. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofbars insulated from each other; outgoing andincominglinewires connectedwith said bars; the bars connected with the outgoing wires beingarranged in a separate group from those connected with the incomingwires; a series of brushes arranged to pass across said bars to the barsconnected with the line-wires of the parties to be connected; and aseries of inductive repeaters, each connected with a pair of brushes ofsaid series of brushes, one of the brushes of each pair beingconnectedwith one circuit of the repeater,

11. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofincoming linewires; an outgoing line-wire for the opposite sides of thetelephone-circuit; a series of telephones one connected with eachincoming wire and all in common connected with the outgoing wire; aseries of bars connected with the incoming wires; brushes arranged topass over said bars to the bars connected with the incoming wires of theparties to be connected; and means for forming a telephonic connectionthrough said brushes between said bars and said outgoing wire.

12. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the cornbi nation of a series ofincoming wires; an omgoing wire for the opposite sides of the circuit; aseries of telephones, one connected with each incoming wire and all incommon connected with the outgoing wires; a series of bars connectedwith the incoming wires; a series of pairs of brushes arranged to passacross said bars, each of a pair to the bars connected with theline-wires of two parties to be connected; and means for forming atelephonic connection through each pair of brushes between said bars andthe outgoing WII'B.

13. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofincoming linewires; an outgoing line-wire for the opposite sides of thecircuit; a series of telephones,

one connected with each incoming wire and all in common connected withthe outgoing wire; a series of bars connected with said incoming wires;brushes electrically connected in pairs, one of each pair adapted topass across said seriesof bars and to be brought into contact with anyof thebars of said series, and the other to be connected with saidoutgoing wire; and electric connections between said brushes arranged toform telephonic connection between two pairs of brushes by the passingof two pairs of brushes into contact with the bars connected with saidincoming and outgoing wires.

let. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofincoming linewires; an outgoing line-wire for the opposite sides of thecircuits; a series of telephones, one connected with each incoming wireand all connected in common with the outgoing wire; an inductiverepeater normally out of the line-circuits; and means for connecting thecircuits through the repeater with said outgoing wire with any of theincoming wires.

15. In a telephone-exchange mechanism,

the combination of a series of incoming linewires; an outgoing line-wirefor the opposite sides-of the circuits; a series of telephones oneconnected with each incoming wire and all in common connected with theoutgoing wire; a series of bars connected with said in-' coming wires;brushes arranged to pass across said bars to the bars connected with thelines of the parties to be connected; an inductive repeater having oneside of ,each of its circuits connected with one of said brushes, andthe other connected with the outgoing wire.

16. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofincoming and outgoing linewires; a series of groups of telephonesconnected with said wires, each group utilizing in common onewire withone of the series of wires forone side of their circuits, anda differentWire of the other series for each telephone of the group, each series ofwires containing acommon wire foragroup; a series of bars connected withthe outgoing wires and a series of bars connected withthe incomingwires; brushes arranged to pass across said bars to the bars connectedwith the line-wires of the parties to be connected; and means forforming telephonic connection through said brushes between said bars.

17. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, thecombination of a series ofincoming and outgoing line-wires; a series of groups of tele-- phonesconnected with said wires, each group utilizing in common one wire ofone of the series of wires for one side of their circuits, and adifferent wire of the other series for each telephone of the group, eachseries of wires containing a common wire for a group; a series of barsconnected with the outgoing wires and a series of bars connected withthe incoming wires; a series of brushes arranged in pairs and adapted topass across said bars to the bars connected with the lines of theparties to be connected; and means for forming a telephonic connectionthrough the brushes of each pair between said bars.

18. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofincoming and outgoing line-wires; a series of groups of telephonesconnected with said wires, each group utilizing in common one wire withone of the series of Wires for one side of their circuits, and adifferent wire of the other series for each telephone of the group, eachseries of wires containing a common wire for a group; a series of barsconnected with the outgoing wires and a series of bars connected withthe incoming wires; an inductive repeater normally out of theline-circuits; and means for connecting the two circuits of saidrepeater with any of the circuits formed by the outgoing and incomingwires.

19. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofincoming and outgoingline-wires; aseries of groups of telephonesconnected with said wires, each group utilizing in common one wire withone of the series of wires for one side of their circuits, and adiiferent wire of the other series for each telephone of the group, eachseries of wires containing a common wire for a group;

a a series of inductive repeaters normally out of theline-circuits;means forconnectingauy of the repeaters with any of the circuits formedby the incoming and outgoing wires.

20. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofincoming and outgoing line-wires; a series of groups of telephonesconnected with said wires, each group utilizing in common one wire withone of the series of wires for one side of their circuits, and adifferent wire of the other series for each telephone of the group, eachseries of wires containing a common wire for a group; a series of barsconnected with each of said series of wires; brushes arranged to passacross said bars to the bars connected with the line-wires of theparties to be connected; and an inductive repeater havingits circuitsconnected with said brushes.

21. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofincoming and outgoingline-wires; aseries ofgroups of telephonesconnected with said wires, each group utilizing in common one wire withone of the series of wires for one side of their circuits, and adifferent wire of the other series for each telephone of the group, eachseries of wires containing a common wire for a group; a series of barsconnected with each series of wires; a series of brushes arranged inpairs adapted to pass across said bars to the linewires of a party to beconnected; and a series of inductive repeaters each having each of itscircuits connected with a pair of said brushes.

22. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofincoming and outgoing line-wires; aseries of groups of telephonesconnected with said wires, each group utilizing in common one wire ofone of the series of wires for one side oftheir circuits, and adifferent wire of the other series for each telephone of the group, eachseries of wires containing a common wire for a group; a switch fordisconnecting a telephonic con nection formed in said circuit; amagneto; and means actuated by the disturbance created in said circuitby the said magneto for operating said switch to open said circuit,andout the connection.

23. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofbars insulated from each other; line-wires connected with said bars;brushes arranged to move across said bars to the bars connected with thelinewires of the parties to be connected; means for forming a telephonicconnection through said brushes between said bars; a switch arranged ina circuit forming said connection; a magneto; and means actuated by thesaid magneto in the said circuit for actuating said switch for openingthe circuit, and to cut the connection.

24. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofincoming linewires; an outgoing line-wire for the opposite side of thecircuit; a series of telephones, one connected with each incomingline-wire for the opposite side of the circuit; a series of telephonesone connected with each incoming wire, and all in common connected withthe outgoing wire; a double coil normally out of the line-circuit; meansfor connecting each of said circuits with said outgoing and any of theincoming wires; a switch arranged in one of said circuits; a magneto;and means actuated by a magneto disturbance in a circuit in telephonicconnection with said circuit for actuating said switch.

25. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofoutgoing linewires; a series of groups of telephones connected with saidwires each group utilizing in common one'wi re of one of the series ofwires for one side of their circuits, and a different wire of the otherseries for each telephone of the group, each series of wires containinga common wire for a group; a double coil normally out of theline-circuits; means for connecting the circuits through the coil withthe circuits formed by the outgoing and incoming wires; a switcharranged in a circuit in telephonic connection wit-h said circuit; amagneto, means actuated bythe said magneto in one of thetelephone-circuits for actuating said switch.

26. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofincoming linewires; an outgoing line-wire for the opposite sides of thecircuit; a series of telephones one connected with each incoming wireand all connected in common with the outgoing wire; and a condenserarranged in connection with a wire of said system which is adjacent toand of smaller capacity than another wire of said system for equalizingthe capacity of said wires whereby the tendency to induction from onewire to the other by reason of the the outgoing wire; and meanscontrolling difference in capacity is obviated.

27. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofincoming and outgoing line-wi res; a series of groups of telephonesconnected with said wires each group utilizing in common one wire of oneof the series of wires for one side of their circuits; and a dilferentwire of the other series for each telephone of the group, each series ofwires containing a common wire for a group; and a condenser connectedand arranged on a wire of one of said series for equalizing the capacityof said wires.

28. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofincoming linewires and an outgoing line-wire; a common or exchangetelephone-circuit; switches for connecting each of the incoming wireswith one side of said exchange-circuit; press-buttons for directlyoperating said switches; and means for connecting the outgoing wireswith the other side of said circuit.

29. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofincoming line- Wires and an outgoing line-wire; means for connectingeach of the incoming wires with one side of a common or exchangetelephonecircuit; means for connecting the outgoing wire with the otherside of said circuit; means acting with said connecting means forforming a second connection including the incoming wire connected withthe exchange-circuit and the outgoing wire.

30. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofincoming linewires and an outgoing line-wire; means for connecting eachof the incoming wires with one side of a common or exchangetelephonecircuit; means for connecting the outgoing wire with the otherside of said circuit; and means controlled by said connecting means forforminga second connection including the incoming wire-connected withthe exchangecircuit and the outgoing wire.

31. In a telephone -exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofincoming linewires and an outgoing line-wire; means for connecting eachof the incoming wires with one side of a common or exchangetelephonecircuit; means for connecting the outgoing wire with the otherside of said circuit; and means controlled by said connecting means forsimultaneously forming a second connection including the incoming wireconnected with the exchange-circuit and the outgoing wire.

32. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofincoming linewires and an outgoing line-wire; means for connecting eachof the incoming wires with one side of a common or exchangetelephonecircuit; means for connecting the outgoing wire with the otherside of said circuit; mechanism acting with said means for forming asecond connection including the incoming wireconnected with theexchange-circuit and said mechanism for actuating it to connect theexchange-telephone alone, and the exchange-telephone and the secondconnection simultaneously and also said connections successively.

33. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofincoming linewires and an outgoing linewire; press-buttons forconnecting each of the incoming wires with one side of a magneto-circuit; said magneto-circuit; and means for connecting the outgoing wirewith the other side of the magneto-circuit to completea circuit throughthe magneto independent of any other circuit between anyincoming wireand the outgoing wire.

34. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofline-wires; a magneto-circuit; switches for connecting the line-wirestosaid magneto-circuit; press-buttons foroperating said switches; asecond circuit; and means controlled by said switches for connectingsaid line-wires with said second circuit.

35. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofline-wires; press-buttons for completing a circuit between theline-wires through a magneto; mechanism acting with said press-buttonsfor forming a second connection including said line-wires; and means forcontrolling said mechanism for turning in the magneto alone and forturning in the magnet-o and forming a second connection simultaneouslyand also for turning in the magneto and forming a second connectionsuccessively.

36. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofoutgoing and incoming line-Wires; a series of groups of tele.

phones connected with said wires each group utilizing in common one wireor" one of the series of wires for one side of their circuits and adifierent wire of the other series for each telephone of. the group,each series containing a common wire for a group; means for connectingeach of the outgoing wires with one side of the common orexchangetelephonecircuit; and means for con meeting each of the incoming wireswith the other side of said circuit both by direct electricalconnection.

37. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of aseries ofoutgoing and incoming line-wires; a series of groups of telephonesconnected with said wires, each group utilizing in common one wire ofone of the series of wires for one side of their circuits and adifferent wire of the other series for ITO coming line-wires; a seriesof groups of telephones connected with said wires each group utilizingin common one wire of one of the series of wires for one side of theircircuits, and a different wire of the other series for each telephone ofthe group, each series containing a common wire for a group; means forconnecting each of the outgoing wires with one side of the common orexchange telephone-circuit; means for connecting, each of the incomingwires with the other side of said circuit; and mechanism acting withsaid connecting means for forming a second connection includingthedine-wires connected with the telephone-circuit.

39. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofoutgoing and incoming line-wires; a series of groups of telephonesconnected with said wires each group utilizing in common one wire of oneof the series of wires for one side of their circuit-s and a differentwire of the other series for each telephone of the group each seriescontaining a common wire for a group; means for connecting each of theoutgoing wires with one side of the common or exchange telephonecircuit;means for connecting each of the incoming wires with the other side ofsaid circuit; and mechanism controlled by said connecting means forforming a second connection including the line-wires connected with thetelephone-circuit.

40. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofoutgoing and incoming line-wires; a series of groups of telephonesconnected with said wires, each group utilizing in common one wire ofone of the series of wires for one side of their circuits and adifferent wire of the other series for each telephone of the group, eachseries containing a common wire for a group; a press-button for eachincoming and outgoing wire; means actuated by said press-buttons forconnecting its line-wire with a com mon telephonecircuit; and mechanismcontrolled by said buttons for forming a second connection including theline-wires connected with the exchange-circuit by said buttons.

41. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofoutgoing and incoming line-wires; a series of groups of telephonesconnected with said wires each group utilizing in common one wire of oneof the series of wires for one side of their circuits and a differentwire of the other series for each telephone of the group, each seriescontaining a common wire for a group; means for connecting each of theoutgoing wires with one side of the common or exchange telephonecircuit;means for connecting each of the in coming wires with the otherside ofsaid circuit; and mechanism controlled by said connecting means forsimultaneously forming a second connection including the line-wiresconnected with the telephone-circuit.

42. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofoutgoing and incoming line-Wires; a series of groups of telephonesconnectcd with said wires each group utilizing in common one wire of oneof the series of wires for one side of their circuits and a difierentwire of the other series for each telephone of the group each seriescontaining acommon wire foragroup; means for connecting each of theoutgoing wires with one side of the common or exchangetelephone-circuit; means for connecting each of the incoming Wires withthe otherside of said circuit; mechanism acting with said connectingmeans for forming a second connection including the line-wires connectedwith the telephone-circuit; and means for controlling said mechanism toconnect the exchange-circuit alone, the exchange-circuit and the secondconnection simultaneously, or the exchange-circuit and the secondconnection successively at will.

43. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofoutgoing and incoming line-wires; a series of groups of telephonesconnected with said wires, each group utilizing in common one Wire ofone of the series of wires for one side of their circuits and adifferent wire of the other series for each telephone of the group, eachseries containing a common Wire for a group; a press-- button for eachwire; and mechanism actuated by each of said press-buttons to connectits line-wire with a magneto-circuit.

44:. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of aseries ofoutgoing and incoming line-wires; a series of groups of telephonesconnected with said wires each group utilizing in common one wire of oneof the series of wires for one side of their circuits and a differentwire of the other series for each telephone of the group each seriescontaining a common wire for a group; means for connecting each of theoutgoing wires with a magneto-circuit and each of the incoming wireswith the other side of said circuit; and mechanism acting with saidconnecting means for forming a second connection including theline-wires connected with the magnetocircuit.

45. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofoutgoing and incoming line-wires; a series of groups of telephonesconnected with said wires each group utilizing in common one wire of oneof the series of Wires for one side of their circuits and a differentwire of the other series for each telephone of the group, each seriescontaining a common wire for a group; means for connecting each of theoutgoing wires with a magneto-circuit; and each of the incoming wireswith the other side of said circuit; and mechanism acting with saidconnecting means for simultaneously forming a second connectionincluding the line-wires connected with the magneto-circuit.

46. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of aseries ofoutgoing and incoming line-wires; a series of groups of telephonesconnected with said wires each group utilizing in common one wire of oneof the series of wires for one side of their circuits and a differentwire of the other series for each telephone of the group, each seriescontaining a common Wire for a group; means for connecting each of theoutgoing wires with a magneto-circuit and each of the incoming wireswith the other side of said circuit; in echanism acting with saidconnecting means for forming a second connection including theline-wires connected with the magneto-circuit; and means for connectingthe magneto-circuit alone with the said line-wires or simultaneously orsuccessively forming said magnetocircuit and second connection.

47. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofbars insulated from each other; line-wires connected with said bars;brushes arranged to pass across said bars to the bars connected with thelinewires of the parties to be connected; means for forming a telephonicconnection through the brushes between said bars; controlling mechanismone for each linewire; means controlled by said mechanism for passingthe brushes to the bars connected with the linewires corresponding tothe-controlling mechanism actuated.

48. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofoutgoing linewires; aseries of incoming line-wires; aseries of bars foreach; brushes arranged to pass across each of said series of bars to thebars connected with the line-wires of the parties to be connected; meansfor forming a telephonic connection passing through said brushes betweensaid bars and consequently between the lines to be connected; a seriesof controlling mechanism one for each line-wire; and means controlled bysaid mechanisms for passing said brushes to connect with the barscorresponding to the controlling mechanisms actuated.

459. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofbars insulated from each other; line-wires connected with said bars; aseries of brushes arranged to pass across said bars to the barsconnected with the line-wires of the parties to be connected, saidbrushes being arranged in twos, each pair to form a connection means forforming a telephonic connection passing through each pair of saidbrushes between the bars to be connected and consequently between thelines to be connected; controlling mechanism for each of said wires; andmeans controlled by said controlling mechanism for passing said brushesin pairs successively into contact with the bars corresponding to thecontrolling mechanisms actuated.

50. In a ielephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of aseries ofoutgoing and a series of incoming line-wi res; a series of bars for eachseries of wires; brushes electrically connected in pairs, each pairadapted to pass across one of said series of bars to be brought intocontact with any of the'bars of said series; an electric connectionbetween said brushes arranged to form telephonic connections between twopairs of line-wires by the passing of two pairs of brushes into contactwith the bars connected with said linewires; controlling mechanism foreach of said Wires; and means controlled by said controlling mechanismsfor passing said brushes in pairs successively into contact with thebars corresponding to the controlling mechanisms actuated.

51. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a'sei-ies ofbars insulated from each other; line-wires connected with said bars;brushes arranged to move across said bars to the bars connected with thelinewires of the parties to be connected; means for forming a telephonicconnection passing through said brushes between said bars, andconsequently between the lines to be connected; an exchangetelephone'circuit; a series of controlling mechanisms one for eachline-wire; means controlled by said mechanisms for simultaneouslyconnecting the exchange-phone with the line-wires corresponding to saidmechanisms, and to move said brushes to the bars corresponding to saidmechanisms.

52. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a seriesofbars insulated fr0m each other; line-wires connected with said bars;brushes arranged to passacross said bars to the bars connected with thelinewires of the parties to be connected; means for forming a telephonicconnection through the brushes between said bars; an electricallyactuated controlling mechanism one for each line-wire; and meanscontrolled by said mechanisms for passing the brushes to the barsconnected with the line-wires corresponding to the controlling mechanismactuated.

53. In a telephoneexchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofbars insulated from each other; line-wires connected with said bars; aseries of brushes arranged to pass across said bars to the barsconnected with the line-wires of the parties to be connected, saidbrushes being arranged in twos, a pair to a connection; means forforming a telephonic connection passing through each pair of saidbrushes between the bars to be connected and consequ ently between thelines to be connected; electrically-actuated controlling mechanism foreach of said wires; and means controlled by said controlling mechanismfor passing said brushes in pairs successively into contact with thebars corresponding to the controlling mechanisms actuated.

54. In a telephone -exchange mechanism, the combination of an ind uctiverepeater normally out of the line-circuits; a series of telephonecircuits; means for connecting any two of them with said repeater, onewith each side of said repeater; controlling mechanism for eachtelephone-circuit; and means controlled by said mechanisms forautomatically connecting said telephone-circuits with saidrepeater-circuits.

55. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofinductive repeaters normally out of the line-circuits; a series oftelephonecircuits; means for connect-ing any two of them with any ofsaid repeaters,one with each circuit of said repeater; a series ofcontrolling mechanisms one for each circuit; and means controlled bysaid mechanisms for connecting said circuits with said repeaterssuccessively.

56. In a telephoneexchange mechanism, the combination of an inductiverepeater normally out of the line-circuits; a system of line-wires;means for connecting any two of the lines of said line-wires in saidsystem with each circuit through said repeater; a controlling mechanismfor each line wire; and means controlled by said mechanism for actuatingsaid connecting means to connect the linewire, corresponding with theactuated controlling mechanism, with said repeater.

57. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of an inductiverepeater normally out of the line-circuits; a series oftelephone-circuits; means for connecting any two of them with saidrepeater, one with each repeater-circuit; electrically-actuatedcontrolling mechanism for each telephone-circuit; and means controlledby said mechanism for actuating said connecting means to connect saidtelephonecircuits with said repeater-circuits.

58. In a telephone exchange mechanism, the combination of an inductiverepeater normally out of the line-circuits; a series oftelephone-circuits; means for connecting any two of them with saidrepeater, one with each repeater-circuit; an exchange telephone-circuit;controlling mechanism for each telephonecircuit; and means controlled bysaid controlling mechanism for connecting said exchangetelephone-circuit with the line-circuits and for actuating saidconnecting means to connect the line-circuits with the repeatercircuits.

59. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofconnecting mechanisms; a reciprocating means; a mechanism for settingsaid reciprocating means to act upon said connecting mechanismssuccessively.

60. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the. combination of a series ofconnecting mechanisms; a reciprocating means; mechanism for setting saidmeans to act upon said connecting mechanisms throughout the series; andmeans for controlling said setting mechanism to bring it in a positionto act upon the initial connecting mechanism after the completion of theseries.

61. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofconnecting mechanisms; a constantly reciprocating means; and mechanismfor setting said reciprocating means to act upon said con nectingmechanisms successively.

62. In a telephone-exchange mechanism the combination of a series ofconnecting mechanisms arranged in pairs; a telephone connection betweensaid pairs; and a reciprocating mechanism arranged to act successivelyupon the connecting mechanisms of each pair.

63. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofconnecting mechanisms arranged in pairs; a telephone connection betweensaid pairs; a constantlyreciprocating mechanism arranged to actsuccessively upon the connecting mechanisms of each pair.

64. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofconnecting mechanisms arranged in pairs; a series of inductiverepeaters, one circuit, of each being connected with one of themechanisms of each pair of connecting mechanisms; and a reciprocatingmechanism for actuating said connecting mechanism to form a connection.

65. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of a series ofconnecting mechanisms arranged in pairs; a seriesof inductive repeaters,one circuit of each being connected with one of the mechanisms of eachpair of connecting mechanisms; and a reciprocating mechanism acting uponsaid connecting mechanisms successively.

66. In a telephone-exchange mechanism,

the combination of a series of connecting mechanisms; a reciprocatingmeans; an electrically-controlled mechanism for setting saidreciprocating means to act upon said connecting mechanisms successively.

67. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of contactsconnected with telephone-circuits; a brush adapted to be moved acrosssaid contacts and to contact therewith; a constantly-reciprocatingmeans; a controlling mechanism for coupling and uncoupling said brusheswith and from said reciprocating means.

68. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of contactsconnected with telephone-circuits; a brush adapted to be moved acrosssaid contacts and to contact therewith; a constantly-reciprocatingmeans; a controlling mechanism, one for each contact; means controlledby said mechanism for coupling said brushes with said reciprocatingmeans and uncoupling said brushes from said reciprocating means on thecontact corresponding to the controlling mechanism actuated.

69. In a telephone-exchange mechanism, the combination of contactsconnected with telephone-circuits; a brush adapted to be moved acrosssaid contacts and to contact therewith; aconstantly-reciprocating means;a controlling mechanism, one for each contact; means controlled by saidmechanism for coupling said brushes with said recipro-

